Last week's local government elections saw sitting councillors across the North West lose their seats to new populist parties. Rossendale did not hold elections as it is on a four-year cycle, but in Darwen every sitting councillor, Labour and Conservative alike, lost their seat to Reform. Many of those who lost had worked hard for years to serve their communities and frankly did not deserve to lose. However, what they were hearing on the doorstep was: "I like you and respect what you have done, but I can't vote for your party right now. I want to show how I feel about national issues." That is a brutal message, and one also heard a year ago in Rossendale during the County Council elections.
The council leader could fill the rest of this column listing government achievements, pointing to a terrible inheritance and international turbulence. But fundamentally, everyone in government needs to recognise that far more must be done to make change real in communities like ours. Some of that change is happening, but in many cases we need to go further and be more ambitious.
Investment in Towns
Rossendale has its £20m Pride in Place programme in Rawtenstall, Crawshawbooth and Waterfoot just getting under way. This is a great opportunity and we must make sure it genuinely touches every neighbourhood in the project area. But the council leader also wants to see more investment in Stacksteads, Bacup and Whitworth, and is lobbying the government to deliver it.
Transport Improvements
On transport, increased funding for bus services has been seen, but better links for outlying areas and far greater ambition on rail are still needed. The Rawtenstall to Manchester link would be a game changer, and the council leader is asking the East Lancashire Railway Trust to work with him and the council to put a viable proposal to the government.
Health and Housing
On health, better access to GPs has been achieved and Blackburn A&E is one of the most improved in the country. But people are still waiting hours in corridors, which is not good enough. The goal is to end corridor care and excessive waits, and the Department of Health is supporting the hospital in delivering this. On housing, the Renters Rights Bill will benefit thousands of renters throughout Rossendale, giving security of tenure and fair rents. However, too many people are still living in substandard housing. More needs to be done to improve existing stock and build new affordable homes where people need them.
Policing and Safety
More visible neighbourhood policing and targeted action on antisocial behaviour has made a real impact in town centres, but complacency must be avoided. More police on the beat are needed, and more must be done to address the underlying causes of crime and antisocial behaviour, including better-resourced youth services and more for young people to do. The council leader also wants tougher enforcement of speed limits and a far more proactive approach to road safety.
Education and Employment
In schools, the introduction of free breakfast clubs and school-based nurseries is a real step forward, and these need to be in every school. Commitments to rebuild Haslingden High School and Valley Leadership Academy are excellent. But alongside this, training and jobs must be available for school leavers. The council leader would like to see college facilities back in the Valley and targeted support for local employers, making it easier for them to offer young people real opportunities. More broadly, more could be done to support the redevelopment of brownfield sites for employment and encourage investment in new businesses. More good jobs close to home are needed.
With busy times ahead, the council leader will keep fighting for the support and investment communities deserve.
